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Diving in to Aquariums...

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Hello everyone,

My name is Andy and I am starting my first aquarium ever. I have always wanted one however being in the military I was not about to drag a tank and fish all over the world. Now that I am facing retirement I am looking forward to enjoying this hobby with my kids. I've been lurking around your boards for about a week and the passion, helpfulness, and humor you all display is head and heels above the other boards I've looked at. It's nice to find like minded people that don't troll or practice one upmanship on every post. I look forward to meeting all of you and learning the intricacies of the fascinating new addiction.

Welcome to the forum, I don't mean to brag about this one over others... but personally I feel much more welcome here than at a lot of others.

I agree with talldutchie and add a few more...
5. This is a great hobby to start with your kids... however make sure they understand why certain fish can't go with others etc
6. some people may either rub you the wrong way, or tell you something you don't agree with, don't take it personally (we're all here to help)
7. there are hundreds of cost saving methods that can be used on just about everything in the hobby, look into as many as you can
8. Don't just listen to what employees at the local fish shop say, do your own research because #1 - they might just lie to make a sale, #2 there info they believe is right, might not work out for you

Just my tips.

Any idea what your goal for your first tank will be? Lots of small tanks, 1 big tank, planted, saltwater, cichlid, biotope??? tons of options

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. -Vince Lombardi
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ― John WoodenSandy Hook Elementary......Lest We Forget
See my profile for my tanks and what fish I keep

I started my first ever aquarium about 11 months ago and after lurking on several forums for a few months I also found this to be the best of the best. Post you questions, ideas, etc in the Beginner Freshwater Forum - you will get the most replies to your posts there.

Also, browse thru the Aquarium Journals in the General Aquarium Forum for lots of good info.

When I go fishing I just place a sharp rock in the water and sit there waiting for all the dead fish to float to the top... KingfisherBrutal honesty will be shown on this screen.I think my fish is adjusting well to the four gallon, He's laying on his side attempting to go to sleep on the bottom of the gravel.Tolerance is a great thing to have, so is the ability to shut up.I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.

If you take your time to do the research FIRST, you can successfully set-up and keep ANY type of aquarium with ease."Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer than others." - Anthony CalfoFishless CycleCycling with FishMarine Aquarium Info [URL="http://saltwater.aquaticcommunity.com/"]